Red Book of Ossory

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Discover the remarkable Red Book of Ossory. Created almost 700 years ago, it is on public display here for the first time. From medieval distillation to a bishop’s poetry, its pages reach into the past and show us, through scribed words, aspects of Kilkenny life previously obscured by centuries

The book was penned in Kilkenny almost 700 years ago by a most extraordinary bishop, the Bishop of Ossory, Richard Ledrede. On loan from the Representative Church Body Library, the book is returning ‘home’ to go on public display for the first time in history.

€7.50 – €10

Siren by Ursula Burke

Butler Gallery Evans Home, John's Quay,, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Siren is an expansive exhibition that incorporates ceramic sculpture, textile sculpture, tapestry and mosaic sculpture. Greco-Roman inspired, surrealist mosaic sculpture take centre stage framed by major new monumental tapestry work.

Having lived for over twenty years in post-conflict Belfast, during and after the peace process, Burke has developed a unique continuum of exploration between political and aesthetic inquiries into trauma, wounding, and repair in her diverse practice. Her work creates an open system of correspondence between antiquity and modernity, introducing a larger poetic and political frame around the dysfunctional relations of trauma and violence that have qualified the building of empires.

These diverse formal investigations are born out of an exploration of epigenetics*, especially within post-conflict contexts such as Northern Ireland. In 2004 a spate of teenage suicides happened quite rapidly and in succession in Ardoyne, North Belfast, an area which is known as a Republican stronghold. Seen through the lens of epigenetic science, is it possible that a predisposition of trauma and depression may be switched on genetically, and passed down from the parent to the child in sites of conflict? What would the implications of such research mean for post-colonial Ireland or sites further afield such as Israel and Palestine?

Free

Museum of the Moon at St. Canice’s Cathedral

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower is set to unveil the mysteries of the Moon in a breathtaking installation by artist Luke Jerram. Open daily from March 10th for a limited three-week event. The luminous artwork features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface, with each centimetre of the powerful installation representing 5km of the Moon's surface. Enchanting moonlit concerts and events inspired by our closest celestial neighbour will take place at the iconic venue. Accompanied by educational programmes, interactive workshops, and family-friendly activities exploring the Moon's influence on art, science, and mythology.

The Nine Moons of Ago

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

From the unique storytelling minds of MórScéal in association with St Canice's Cathedral comes the world premiere of The Nine Moons of Ago a special theatrical experience for three nights only this March. 

The Nine Moons of Ago, tailormade to be performed under The Museum of the Moon the breath-taking installation by artist Luke Jerram, which features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface is written by Georgina Brennan-Stynes with Michael Somers directing and Willie Ryan producing. 

Set in an ancient village populated by field fairies, werewolves of Ossary and their Divine King, villagers turn the celtic wheel as the Holly King and Oak Queen battle for power in a unique theatrical experience where darkness is illuminated by the light.

€20

St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny

Kilkenny County Kilkenny

FOUR DAYS OF FESTIVAL FUN
There is something for all ages and tastes at St. Patrick's Festival Kilkenny! Expect a mixture of free and ticketed events, including live music, walking tours, family entertainment, highlight events and the St. Patrick's Day Parade! March 14th -17th 2025.

Kilkenny Tradfest

Kilkenny City

Kilkenny, Ireland is one of the BEST places to celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend with Kilkenny Tradfest in full swing!

Join us for the 2025 edition of Kilkenny Tradfest with over 90 free gigs on the Bulmers Music Trail and Kilkenny Tradfest Concerts including Sharon Shannon under the moon, Kíla, Aoife Scott, The Bonny Men and much more!

Live Music Sessions at Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny

Smithwick's Experience 44 Parliament Street, Kilkenny

ONE of Ireland’s oldest brewery sites, Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny, is making this year’s St Patrick’s Weekend extra special with free live music sessions, including one featuring festival headliners, Burnchurch, shortly after the St Patrick’s Day parade concludes in the heart of the medieval city.

Free

Snakes and Snocks!

The National Reptile Zoo

Join us at The National Reptile Zoo this March 15th-17th for a fun, interactive workshop!
Create your own “snock” puppet—just bring an old sock!
Learn about snake evolution & why people fear them
Discover how upcycling helps the planet

St. Patrick’s Family-Friendly Workshop

Kilford Arms John Street Upper, Kilkenny, Ireland

Celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend in a truly special way with a creative and mindful macramé workshop! As Kilkenny comes alive with parades, music, and celebrations, take a break from the crowds and enjoy some hands-on crafting fun with family and friends.

This event will be hosted by two of us—Andrea will be guiding the adults in creating a beautiful macramé art piece, while the wonderful and talented Claire will be entertaining the children with face painting and hair wooling. Everything will take place in the same hall, allowing for a shared experience while also creating a relaxing, mindful space for adults to enjoy their creative time.

After the workshop, unwind with a warm cup of tea or coffee and some tasty treats, soaking up the festive spirit in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.

What’s Included:
🍀 All materials to create your macramé piece
🎨 Your handcrafted artwork to take home
🧵 Extra materials for another creation at home
📜 Printed step-by-step knotting guide
☕ Tea, coffee & tasty snacks
🎭 Face painting & hair woolling for kids
🎁 A gift bag with extra tips & a surprise inside

With Kilkenny’s St. Patrick’s Festival in full swing, this is the perfect way to soak up the festive spirit while enjoying a relaxing and creative experience.

€16 – €70

Yukine Kuroki

The Concert Hall, Thomastown

Music Network presents the incredibly gifted pianist Yukine Kuroki in March. She has conquered the hearts of many in recent years, winning both the Liszt Utrecht Competition and Dublin International Piano Competition in 2022, as well as being awarded third prize at the prestigious Rubinstein Competition in 2023. Her mastery of the instrument prompted leading Canadian pianist Janina Fialkowska to describe Kuroki as “a true poet at the piano, who can make you cry with a single note”.

€5 – €20

Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta

Cleere's Bar and Theatre

Siblings Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta hail from the Gaeltacht region of Connemara. They are noted for their sean nós singing and unique arrangements of both Irish and English language songs. Their performances benefit from the vocal tones that only families share. Their Late Late Show performance in 2022 of the soulful lament Anach Cuain went viral around the world. They are also accomplished multi-instrumentalists who keep the Irish language and their heritage at the heart of all their musical endeavours. In 2023 they released their debut EP Séamus & Caoimhe which was produced by Brian Whelan and Riverdance composer Bill Whelan. Séamus and Caoimhe are the recipients of the RTÉ Folk Award for ‘Best Emerging Artists’ 2024.

€18

Two Time Polka

Left Bank 1 The Parade, Kilkenny, Ireland

Award winning Irish group Two Time Polka play a fiery mixture of Cajun, Bluegrass and rock ’n roll music. They are not unknown to spice up their live performances with flavours such as

Argentinian tangos, Brazilian, Colombian and Puerto Rican dance tunes.

With six albums to their credit, Two Time Polka has proven popular with radio stations receiving both national and international airplay. In 2005 they toured the US which led to the release of a

compilation CD there.

In 2011 Two Time Polka were winners in the Best Musical Act category, awarded to them by AOIFE, the governing body of festivals in Ireland.

Free

Tulla Ceílí Band

Kilkenny Rivercourt Hotel

The Tulla Ceili Band was formed in 1946 to take part in a Ceili Band competition at Feile Luimni. P Joe Hayes and Paddy Canny were some of the first members to join.
Down through the years, the Tulla Ceili Band have performed at both national and international events.

The Band has performed at Ceilis, concerts and Festivals, ranging from the Willie Clancy festival to The Electric Picnic.

As the Band heads for its 80th anniversary, there is a healthy mix of young and old talented musicians keeping the traditional East Clare style of music alive.

€15

Yukine Kuroki

The Concert Hall, Thomastown

Music Network presents the incredibly gifted pianist Yukine Kuroki in March. She has conquered the hearts of many in recent years, winning both the Liszt Utrecht

Competition and Dublin International Piano Competition in 2022, as well as being awarded third prize at the prestigious Rubinstein Competition in 2023. Her mastery of the instrument prompted leading Canadian pianist Janina Fialkowska to describe Kuroki as “a true poet at the piano, who can make you cry with a single note”.

€5 – €20

The Lunar Banquet

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

“Dining Beneath the Moon: The Lunar Banquet at St. Canice’s Cathedral – A 3-Course Feast, Wine, and Music by The Half Room with Pauline Scanlon”

St Patrick’s Festival and Kilkenny Tradfest have come together to combine music, art and amazing food in the unique setting of St Canice’s Cathedral with their temporary exhibition of the stunning touring artwork ‘Museum Of The Moon’ by UK artist Luke Jerram. Guests will listen to music by The Half Room, featuring Pauline Scanlon while enjoying an exquisite 3 course wine paired meal, catered by Langton’s Hotel. This will be a unique dining ad musical experience, celebrating our national festival weekend.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, ‘Museum of The Moon’ exhibition brought to you by St Canice’s Cathedral features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.

‘The Half Room’ are a group of friends bonded by their mutual passion for folk songs and singing. What initially started as a weekly gathering to share songs has evolved into a new band, ready to release their debut self-titled album. The ensemble features the evocative vocals of renowned Dingle singer Pauline Scanlon and the velvety richness of singer-songwriter Nicola Joyce from celebrated Galway trio ‘The Whileaways’.

Enjoy the Harmonic sounds while enjoying a 3-course meal with wine pairing ‘Under the Moon’

€120

Drops of Green

Kyteler's Inn

Formed in early 2015, Drops of Green are quickly building a fan base both at home and abroad. Combining a variety of instrumentation with blissful four-part harmonies, they cover all of your favourite Irish melodies within a blistering set. Bringing their own unique and modern twist to classic Irish ballads, along with a wealth of tradition, storytelling and passion; their show is a must see for fans of Irish music both young and old alike.

€20

Sarah Jane Scouten Trio

Paris Texas 92 High Street, Kilkenny City, Ireland

Raised on a solid musical diet of bluegrass, gospel, and folk, Sarah has been singing around the dinner table with her father from a young age – an intimate setting that she still evokes although her music is much more widely shared today. Scouten was nominated for Traditional Artist of the Year, and her latest release, The Cape, for Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards – a testament to her recognizable talents, sweetly unembellished, and unique voice, and her blunt, cheeky and clever songwriting.

Free

Macdara Yeates

Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel

With a stentorian voice described as “a bracing, baleful, baritone that sounds as if it’s been dug from the deepest, most fragrant turf” (Songlines), Macdara Yeates is ploughing his furrow as a solo performer, garnering critical praise for his solo debut (★★★★★ Songlines, ★★★★ The Irish Times) and performing on some of the most coveted stages in folk music.

“In a golden age for traditional singing in Ireland, Yeates’s debut comes as a further welcome affirmation that the torch is being passed to a generation who truly understand and value its worth, while acknowledging that they are not afraid to inhabit it with their own particular voice.”– The Irish Times

Free

Kíla

Formed at school in Dublin’s late 1980’s, the Award-winning band, Kíla, are heralded as one of Ireland’s most innovative and exciting bands. Their unique sound has been ever-evolving; rooted in tradition yet inspired by a myriad of influences and ideas from all around the world. Kíla fuses the effects of their own melodies and Irish language lyrics, Irish folk instruments such as whistles,
fiddles, Uilleann pipes, bones and bodhrán with djembe, congas, drums, mandolins, brass, and acoustic/electric/bass guitars. Their eight members come from different musical backgrounds of traditional, classical, and rock. The result is a fresh blend of freewheeling instrumentals, furious jigs, and primal rhythms that transcend the traditional boundaries of Irish music.

Free

St. Patrick’s Festival Fireworks Display

Kilkenny Castle Park

Tickets on Sale February 21st 2025 at 12 noon, tickets will sell out for this event, please mark your diaries. 
See the skies of Kilkenny light up in this celebratory St. Patrick’s night event. Ticket holders get a prime viewing spot in Kilkenny Castle Park, in the heart of Kilkenny’s medieval city.
Spectators can expect 8-10 minutes of truly spectacular fireworks creating art in the sky with vibrant colours and magical effects. It will be a visual aerial feast for all to enjoy!
Individual tickets cost €4 + booking fee. Family tickets are €18 + booking fee and admit 5 people. All attendees require tickets.
Location: Kilkenny Castle Park (enter from the Parade or Castle Road only)
Gates open at 7:30pm | Gates close at 7.55pm sharp
Fireworks begin at 8pm | Show will be 8-10mins in duration
This is event is subject to license 

€4

The Kilfenora Ceili Band

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

The Kilfenora, one of Ireland’s most iconic traditional music groups, has been delighting audiences for over a century with their unique and masterful performances.

€32

A Big Egg

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

From the new "Story Time" series of family musicals by the creators of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly.

For Jack and his little sister Molly Easter is all about eggs.
But how big can an egg get.
And what wonderful surprises might there be inside?

Based on the picture book by Steven Lee and performed with a magical mixture of live action, animation and puppetry,
this scrumptious, sing-along musical is guaranteed to make your little ones love Easter (and each other) more than ever before.

Perfect for ages 2-102!

€9

Artist Masterclass – Mosaic making with Ursula Burke

Butler Gallery Evans Home, John's Quay,, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Make a Mosaic led by Ursula Burke. In this workshop, participants will be guided by the artist through the steps of creating a unique and contemporary mosaic. You’ll explore techniques such as glass cutting, design creation, and setting the glass to form a finished piece. Ursula will share tips on colour and design as you work with a variety of coloured tiles.

This will be a fun and creative experience for both beginners and those with prior experience. By the end, you’ll have a beautiful mosaic to take home, along with new skills and techniques to continue exploring the art of mosaic.

All materials provided, suitable for beginners.

This is an adult art class, participants must be 18+.

Workshop is from 11.30-4.30pm with 1 hour break for lunch

€75

Artist Talk with Ursula Burke, Aoife Ruane and Anna O’Sullivan

Butler Gallery Evans Home, John's Quay,, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Join Ursula Burke in conversation with Aoife Ruane, Highlanes Gallery and Anna O’Sullivan, Butler Gallery on Thursday 20th March from 6.00pm to 7.00pm. The conversation will discuss Burke's practice and work in the exhibition Siren.

This is a free, ticketed event with limited places available. Available to book on our website.

Free

Blood Brothers

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

A play that tells of twin brothers and what happens when their mother decides to have one of them adopted, their contrasting upbringing and the hand fate deals them is fast-moving, perceptive and ultimately tragic

€15 – €20

Pure Adventure Canoe Instructor Training

Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny

Level 2 Canoe Instructor Training -

22nd and 23rd of March in Graiguenamanagh

Cost: €215 pp book via email at info@pureadventure.ie

Places are limited, email to book

€215

Lisa Hannigan Ensemble

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

The moon has always inspired humanity, acting as a ‘cultural mirror’ to society, reflecting the ideas and beliefs of all people around the world. Over the centuries, the moon has been interpreted as a god and as a planet. It has been used as a timekeeper, calendar and been a source of light to aid nighttime navigation. Throughout history the moon has inspired artists, poets, scientists, writers and musicians the world over. The ethereal blue light cast by a full moon, the delicate crescent following the setting sun, or the mysterious dark side of the moon has evoked passion and exploration. Different cultures around the world have their own historical, cultural, scientific and religious relationships to the moon. And yet somehow, despite these differences, the moon connects us all.

LISA HANNIGAN ENSEMBLE

Following her sold out collaboration with the Irish Arts Center in New York earlier this year, Lisa Hannigan is bringing this very special production to Kilkenny in March.

The White Horse Guitar Club

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

THE WHITE HORSE GUITAR CLUB is a diverse group, comprising individuals from various walks of life – from a stonemason to an engineer, a photographer to a teacher. Yet, they all share a common passion for singing, playing, and performing live, forging strong connections with their audiences in Ireland and beyond.

The White Horse Guitar Club’s music resonates deeply with a growing fanbase, reflecting their belief in the power of music to unite and inspire change.

“There is an authenticity to The White Horse Guitar Club’s performance in which the the musicians allow themselves to take all the risks while delivering a very professional concert. This has the great effect of making the experience a very personal one for everyone in attendence. Good for the heart and the soul – the music knows no borders.” – Micheal D. Higgins, Uachtarán na hÉireann, President of Ireland.

Anna Cashell & Aisling Ennis

Parade Tower Kilkenny Castle

Join us for an eclectic programme that celebrates the beauty and expressive capabilities of the harp and violin. Anna and Aisling will present a new piece by the Irish composer Sam Perkin alongside the evocative Fantasie by Saint-Saens.  Chosen for their cathartic nature, this selection of pieces are designed to bring peace and solace in these troubled times.

€5 – €20

Anna Cashell & Aisling Ennis

The Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, The Parade, Gardens, Kilkenny, Ireland The Parade Tower, Kilkenny

Join us for an eclectic programme that celebrates the beauty and expressive capabilities of the harp and violin. Anna and Aisling will present a new piece by the Irish composer Sam Perkin alongside the evocative Fantasie by Saint-Saens. Chosen for their cathartic nature, this selection of pieces are designed to bring peace and solace in these troubled times.

€5 – €20

Moon Mischief

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Tickets for this event are €10 per child, parents/ guardians are free but need to remain in attendance for the event.

Join children's writer Niamh Donnellan in a fantastical journey to the moon and back. From aliens to robots, jumping cows to stinky cheese the moon is a busy place if you just use your imagination!

In this interactive workshop, Niamh will read her new children's story inspired by Museum of the Moon an installation by Luke Jerram. Children can look at the moon through a real telescope and then make their own!

Niamh Donnellan is a children's writer living in Co. Kilkenny. Her debut picture book Little Irish Folklore Friends was published in 2024. 

€10

Nenah Superstar

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Neneh loves to dance and perform, and fulfils her dreams of joining the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School, despite her parents’ concerns that it’s not a welcoming place for a young black girl. She gets through the auditions but at the school, Neneh finds herself at odds with the traditionalist school director Marianne, who singles her out, making her feel on the outside. Despite the barriers, Neneh’s bubbling energy endures in this charming film which is a celebration of talent and perseverance in the face of prejudice.

€6

Play Under the Moon

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

For 6 months – 4 years old

Tickets for this event are €10 per child, parents/ guardians are free but need to remain in attendance for the event.

Join us for a sensory play event at St. Canice’s Cathedral on Monday 24th March. Children will enjoy an all-encompassing sensory experience under Luke Jerram’s art installation Museum of the Moon. The sensory play event will be a celestial theme to connect with this impressive art work, that will be on display in the Cathedral from 10th March – 30th March. The event will allow children to immerse themselves in self directed creative play in a unique environment.

Parents / guardians must remain present with their child at all times.

€10

The Goldman Case – Movie

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

November 1975, Paris. The appeal hearing of Jewish far-left activist Pierre Goldman is set to begin. Sentenced to life imprisonment for four armed robberies, one of which resulted in the death of two women, Goldman pleads not guilty to the murder charges.

The massively covered court proceedings transform Goldman into a romantic figure and a hero of the intellectual left, even as the relationship with his young attorney Georges Kiejman frays. Ever the agitator for his ideals, the elusive and mercurial Goldman throws his own trial into chaos, risking a death sentence. The Goldman Case paints a psycho-pathological portrait of a militant revolutionary, but also of a society torn apart by patterns of racism and injustice that are still virulent today

€7

The Teachers’ Lounge / Das Lehrerzimmer

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2024, Das Lehrerzimmer follows Carla, a new teacher at a German junior high school. When a series of thefts occur in the school, accusations bounce around the classroom and staff room, and Carla finds herself right in the middle of the drama. As student and teacher suspicions grow, a tense battle of wills occurs between young student Oskar and the young teacher. This thrilling drama set in everyday surroundings is unlike any other school-based film.

€6

Love and Revolution /Te estoy amando locamente

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Seville, 1977. Single mother Reme lives with her son Miguel, a wannabe torch singer and performer. Through his love of the stage, he befriends a group involved in the growing LGBT rights movement. Initially, Reme struggles to accept her son's friends and lifestyle but eventually she does everything she can to support him. Set during a time of repressive laws including the criminality of homosexuality, this film is ultimately a heartwarming drama of a mother's love for her son, and the struggle for personal freedom. 

€6

The Room Next Door – Movie

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Acclaimed author Ingrid (Julianne Moore) learns her old friend Martha (Tilda Swinton) - a successful war correspondent - has cancer. Ingrid visits Martha in hospital and the pair reestablish their dormant friendship.

€7

Laugharoo

The Set Theatre

Introducing Laugharoo, home to Ireland’s funniest stand-up comedian within the hospitality industry. Behind every established Hotel, Pub, distillery and liquor store, you always meet welcoming and hardworking staff members. What people don’t realise that behind every bar counter, there are individual characters that would light up a stage, if they were given a chance too.

So we at team Laugharoo, who are also Bartenders, have been for 10 years plus years and counting, have decided to come together and organise an event.

This event will take place on the 26th of March 2025, in the Set Theatre, Kilkenny. Caoimhe, a local musician from Kilkenny, will be playing at the beginning of the show to give the guests a warm welcome before the show.
This event, will host some big comedians such as Patser Murray, Dan Stephens, Joe Dowling and Peter Felton.
Each set is approximately 20/30 minutes long. DJ Matt (who is a member of the Keltic Kats band) will then play into the night after the gig until 2am.

€27.50

Patrick Feeney’s Inspirational Country and Gospel Show

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Patrick Feeney was born to sing and from the tender age of four he wanted to be on stage with his father who played in a local band. His phenomenal success, especially over the past few years, is summed up in three words from the title of Patrick’s first album, back in 2003 – that title says it’s all… Thanks to You.

Its 21 years since the then teenager released that debut album, and while he has recorded countless songs since, he still lives by the motto that it’s thanks to you, the fans, that he is such a success today. Patrick has legions of fans across Ireland and is a regular guest on TV and Radio. Patrick is known nationally for his remarkable tenor voice. He has won many prestigious awards over the years and is a versatile performer. Why not join one of our finest for an unmissable night of inspirational Country and Gospel.

€27

Moon Music: An Orchestral Tribute to Coldplay at St Canice’s Cathedral

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Moon Music, an orchestral reimagining of Coldplay’s most iconic songs, will be presented by the OneOrchestra Group at St Canice’s Cathedral.

Set beneath Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon, this performance merges orchestral music with visual art to create a rare, immersive experience. Under the direction of Michael Amadi, founder of OneOrchestra, this special performance will transform Coldplay’s familiar melodies into a rich, cinematic soundscape. The band’s timeless songs are reinterpreted through a string quartet, piano, and voice, creating a dynamic atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive.

Damien Dempsey

The Set Theatre

TICKETS ON SALE TUESDAY 8TH OF OCTOBER AT 10AM

Damien Dempsey returns after 7 years with his new double album "Hold Your Joy" on 25th October 2024. 16 intricate tracks beautifully crafted. Honest, vulnerable, poignant and essential. Produced by long-time collaborator John Reynolds, Hold Your Joy is undoubtedly the most complete body of work Dempsey has committed to tape in his entire career. 

As Damo explains "...Hold Your Joy is about trying to be grateful and joyful, because if you're grateful and joyful in yourself, you'll be able to do more good for the world and other people...when you hear a lot of Irish traditional music, these incredible tunes that were written back in a time when Ireland was like a hell on earth. I think by writing these tunes they were holding their joy, you know, and they've turned that pain into something joyful and joyous. They were holding their joy by writing this incredible music and showing that they were stronger than the oppressor..."

The Songs of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Tom Petty

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Join the Muddy River Band for an unforgettable night of music that transcends time, bringing together fans of all ages to celebrate the enduring legacies of these true music icons: Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Tom Petty. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering these legends for the first time, this show will leave you inspired and longing for more.

€27

Moonlit Keys- A Solo Piano Recital with David McEntee

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

A programme of solo piano music inspired by Luke Jerram’s lunar installation, Museum of the Moon, will be held on Saturday, March 29th, at 8pm. This special event marks the closing night of the installation's visit to St Canice’s Cathedral, fittingly coinciding with the New Moon.

Esteemed classical pianist David McEntee will present a carefully curated programme inspired by Jerram’s work. The recital will feature Debussy’s iconic Clair de Lune, Beethoven’s celebrated Moonlight Sonata, compositions by Grieg and Sibelius, and selections from beloved film scores.

Originally from Belfast, David McEntee is a distinguished concert pianist now based in the Burren, Co. Clare. With over two decades of experience teaching piano and music theory, he holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Cork School of Music (2009–2013), where he specialised in piano performance and pedagogy. He also holds a Diploma in Teaching and Performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music (2007–2008). David has studied with prominent figures including Dearbhla Collins, Réamonn Keary, and John O’Conor.

Conclave

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

When the Pope dies suddenly, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), Dean of the College of Cardinals, must oversee one of the world’s most antient and secretive processes – selecting the new Pontiff. As the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders gather together in isolation within the Vatican halls to hold the conclave, Cardinal Lawrence finds himself at the centre of a web of conspiracies where secrets, sabotage and revelations emerge.

Based on Robert Harris’s novel, Conclave is a riveting, religious thriller, packed with twists and turns. Directed by Oscar-winner Edward Bergers (All Quiet on The Western Front), it boasts an astonishing supporting cast including Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini - all at the top of their game.

€7

The Whistlin’ Donkeys Live in Concert

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Hailing from County Tyrone, The Whistlin’ Donkeys have been performing together since 2011 and have gained a strong following in Ireland and around the world.

The band are known for their unique blend of traditional Irish music and Celtic rock influences, creating their own distinctive sound that will keep your feet stomping and hands clapping all night long.

The band features Fergal McAloon on vocals, Stephen Corrigan on guitar, Tomás Quinn on banjo, Michael Kerr on fiddle, Danny McCormack on bass, and Oscar Bradley on drums. Together, they deliver infectious energy and captivating live performances that are not to be missed.

From fan-favorites like "Bees Wing, " "South Australia", and "Can't Help Falling in Love", as well as their latest release “When The Ship Comes In” the band perform a perfect mix of upbeat songs, catchy melodies, and thought-provoking lyrics that create an unforgettable experience for all that come to see them.

€27.50

The Luke Kelly Story

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

On January 30th 1984 it is said that the whole of Ireland grieved the early death of Dubliner Luke Kelly. He has left an indelible mark as being the greatest folk artist of the20th Century and his music is widely regarded as one of Ireland's cultural treasures.

Created and performed by the renowned Dublin singer and multi-instrumentalist Chris Kavanagh, this 90 minute show with multi-vision background throughout brings the audience on a journey through Luke’s music and has received rave reviews in Ireland and abroad.

€30

Legally Blonde The Musical

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

9th - 12th | 7.30pm Matinee 12th & 13th 2.30pm

Kilkenny Musical Society present the fabulously fun Legally Blonde The Musical.

Based on the adored movie, the musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. This action-packed musical explodes on the stage with memorable songs and dynamic dances. Equal parts hilarious and heart-warming warming, this musical is so much fun it should be illegal!

€25

St. Matthew Passion by J.S. Bach performed by The Irish Baroque Orchestra

St. Canice's Cathedral

Revived by Felix Mendelssohn in Berlin in 1829 more than eighty years after its first performance in Leipzig in 1742, Johann Sebastian Bach’s setting of the St. Matthew Passion is widely regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of classical sacred music. Written for double choir, double orchestra and soloists who represent various characters. e.g. commentator (soprano), Evangelist (tenor), Christ (bass), Peter (bass), Judas (bass) - it is almost operatic in form. For this performance the Olivier Award winning Irish Baroque Orchestra perform on ‘period’ instruments.

€30

St. Matthew Passion

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Revived by Felix Mendelssohn in Berlin in 1829 more than eighty years after its first performance in Leipzig in 1742, Johann Sebastian Bach’s setting of the St. Matthew Passion is widely regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of classical sacred music. Written for double choir, double orchestra and soloists who represent various characters. e.g. commentator (soprano), Evangelist (tenor), Christ (bass), Peter (bass), Judas (bass) - it is almost operatic in form. For this performance the Olivier Award winning Irish Baroque Orchestra perform on ‘period’ instruments.

€30

Jason Byrne: No Show

The Set Theatre

In 1935 Erwin Schrodinger placed comedian Jason Byrne in a venue with an audience and closed the doors. Was there a show or NO SHOW. For those outside without tickets there was simultaneously a show and NO SHOW.
Don’t be outside. Get a ticket and watch the master of comic creativity and audience interaction create a show from NO SHOW.

“The Outright King of Live Comedy” – The Times

“There is nobody else on the planet who makes me laugh like that. Your world will be a better place after seeing Jason live”. – The Newcastle Chronicle.

€28

Wonka in Jurassic

Jurassic Newpark Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Join our Willy Wonka on a magical adventure through Jurassic Newpark, featuring Oompa Loompas, the Easter Bunny, and of course dinosaurs! Explore the Fairy Village, meet our Talking Tree & Guardian of the Fairy Trail, and enjoy a Jurassic-themed Easter Egg Hunt.

🎟 Tickets include:
🍫 Willy Wonka Chocolate Experience & sweet decorating
🦖 Dino trail & fortress, medieval castle playground
🚂 Wonka Express Train & Pterosaur Mountain
🐰 Meet baby lambs, Easter rabbits & farm animals
🎨 Face painting, funfair games & amazing photo spots

Additional activities (extra charge): Jurassic Bounce & professional family photos. Book your tickets online in advance!

€17.50

Easter Egg Hunt

Nore Valley Park

Hunt far and wide around the farm for hidden eggs, and claim your sweets and chocolates as a reward!

The Easter Egg Hunt will take place for day visitors to the farm between Saturday 12th and Sunday 20th April 2025 from 10am - 4pm
Egg Hunt tickets need to be booked online for all children taking part in the egg hunt (apart from campsite residents)

€12 – €14

Riverbend Adventures – Learn to Kayak weekend course

Gain basic kayaking skills and develop skills in self rescue and water safety knowledge.

The course prepares you to join KACC and partake in the club activities as a full member

A 2 day weekend course on Saturday and Sunday.
Location, KACC Canoe Club, Canal Walk, Kilkenny
There is usually parking in the club premises but if you see a space in the car park outside the club, take it!
We have changing rooms, hot shower and toilets on site and a kettle if you’re rushing from work.
Course run on behalf of KACC by KACC instructors and helpers

€225

The Tasting

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Jacques (Bernard Campan) is in his 50s and divorced. Not only is his health failing, his wine business is on the brink of bankruptcy. He sees little joy in his future until kind, open-hearted, Hortense (Isabelle Carré) wanders into his shop looking for a bottle of wine. And so the scene is set for a textbook romantic comedy, with two characters - who are complete opposites and both harbouring past heartache - who are undeniably drawn to each other.

This is a light, enjoyable piece of French cinema, featuring plenty of comic relief from a team of supporting players with a generous helping of double entendres and free-flowing wine! Based on director Ivan Calbérac’s stage play of the same name.

€7

Fearlessly Taylor

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Tue 15 - Wed 16 Apr 2025
15th - 6.30pm 16th - 2pm & 6.30pm

Due to popular demand, Fearlessly Taylor, the UK’s unforgettable Taylor Swift Tribute Act returns to Watergate Theatre.

Featuring a full production with a live band and dancers don’t miss a performance packed with Taylor’s much-loved hits, including ‘Shake It Off’, ‘22’, ‘Blank Space’, ‘Love Story’, ‘You Belong with Me’, and of course her latest hit ‘Karma’.

This all-new multi-format show has already been dazzling audiences at clubs and festivals across the country with its faithful tribute to the musical ‘Eras’ of Taylor’s albums. From the eponymous ‘Taylor Swift’, through to record breaking album ‘Midnights’, this really is the definitive ‘Taylor Swift’ tribute show, and a real must for any ‘Swifties’!

€30

Susan McCann

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Susan McCann is delighted to be bringing her own concert tour back on the road this year. It is sure to be a wonderful night of music and entertainment with Susan as she takes a trip down memory lane performing along with her live band.

€27

Touch

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Baltasar Kormákur’s deeply moving film is based on the novel by Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson, who also co-wrote the screenplay. This is a rich study of love and grief that’s both heartbreaking and achingly romantic.

Iceland, early 2020. Widower Kristófer’s memory has started failing, and he decides now is his last chance to track down his estranged first love. Through flashbacks, we learn Kristófer worked in a Japanese restaurant while he was a student in 1960s London. There, he met and fell in love with the owner’s daughter, Miko. Now, despite his own daughter’s pleas and looming travel lockdowns, Kristófer flies to London to find Miko - more than 50 years after she abruptly left without a goodbye.

€7

Easter Camps at Castlecomer Discovery Park

Castlecomer Discovery Park The Estate Yard, Drumgoole, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny

Enjoy four days of camp activities for kids aged 5-12 years. With outdoor adventures and arts and crafts, Castlecomer Discovery Park is the place to be this Easter!

€35 – €110

Cakeface Juniors -2 day cookery camp

Cakeface Cookery School 16 Irishtown, Kilkenny

Two day cookery camp for budding chefs 22nd & 23rd April –Demo & hands

Our two day camp is design to up skill our budding chefs in sweet & savoury cookery. Students will join us in our funky state of the art kitchen and each day learn a main course and dessert, fit to make at home and impress.  This course will suit junior chefs that have an interest in cooking and cook at home. The course is also aimed to give student life skills, students will be expected to follow directions, read recipes, work cleanly and efficiently and of course have some fun.

€140

Children’s Easter Art Camp

Butler Gallery Evans Home, John's Quay,, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Join professional artists from the Butler Gallery Artists Panel on a 3 day Children's Easter Art Camp at Butler Gallery.

Daily activities will include guided visits to Butler Gallery's Exhibition and Collection galleries and art-making sessions in our Learning Centre. Children will be introduced to a variety of art making skills including working with pencils, oil pastels, paint and soft sculpture.

This is a fun and dynamic children's art camp lead by professional artists.

€50

Mater Dei High School Singers & Airneán: Shared performance at St Canice’s Cathedral

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Join us in this magnificent Cathedral in the heart of Kilkenny for a fabulous concert and help a local charity. Donation to Teac Tom very welcome!

Based in Santa Ana, California, the Mater Dei High School Choral and Vocal Program serves a diverse Southern California community. With 11 ensembles and nearly 300 singers participating in athletics, ASB, the arts, campus ministry, and more, the program consistently excels, earning superior ratings at competitions and festivals nationwide. Notably, they recently performed solo concerts at Carnegie Hall and renowned venues in Italy. Graduates of the program thrive in artistic careers ranging from the Metropolitan Opera to Broadway, upholding the legacy of excellence cultivated at Mater Dei. Additionally, the program prioritizes nurturing the spiritual and emotional growth of every singer, reflecting Mater Dei’s core values.

Free

Mater Dei High School Singers & Airneán: Shared performance at St Canice’s Cathedral

St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower The Close, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Ireland

Based in Santa Ana, California, the Mater Dei High School Choral and Vocal Program serves a diverse Southern California community. With 11 ensembles and nearly 300 singers participating in athletics, ASB, the arts, campus ministry, and more, the program consistently excels, earning superior ratings at competitions and festivals nationwide. Notably, they recently performed solo concerts at Carnegie Hall and renowned venues in Italy. Graduates of the program thrive in artistic careers ranging from the Metropolitan Opera to Broadway, upholding the legacy of excellence cultivated at Mater Dei. Additionally, the program prioritizes nurturing the spiritual and emotional growth of every singer, reflecting Mater Dei’s core values.

Free

Bird

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Gravesend, England. 12-year-old Bailey lives in a dilapidated apartment with her caring but immature father Bug. When Bug abruptly announces he’s marrying his girlfriend, a furious Bailey runs away and spends the night outdoors. The next morning, she meets a mysterious stranger named Bird who is searching for his own parents. It’s a chance encounter that sets off a series of strange and life-changing events for Bailey and those around here…

The latest film from acclaimed filmmaker Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank, American Honey) elegantly combines social and magical realism in this unusual and heartfelt film. Bird is beautifully shot, boasts a killer soundtrack of smartly-utilised pop hits, and features exceptional performances from Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski and newcomer Nykiya Adams.

€7

The Piano Man

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

The Piano Man Elton John and Billy Joel - A Live Tribute with John Forde and The 52nd Street Band

“It’s nine o’ clock on a Saturday, the regular crowd shuffles in”

"The Piano Man" is a spectacular live show that will transport you into the legendary worlds of two of the greatest music icons of all time: Elton John and Billy Joel.

John Forde and The 52nd Street Band deliver a powerful and energetic performance, captivating audiences with their authentic renditions of timeless classic hits, including "Rocket Man" "My Life" "Your Song" "Uptown Girl," "Crocodile Rock" "New York State Of Mind" and of course……"The Piano Man"

€29

Movicals

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

A movie musical extravaganza like no other. so, get ready to be swept off your feet with MOVICALS - the ultimate lights, camera, action experience!

Prepare to be transported to a world where the magic of the stage meets the glamour of the big screen. You'll be taken on a journey through some of the most iconic movie musicals of the last 50 years. From the heart-wrenching drama of Les Misérables, to the infectious beats of Fame to the irresistible charm of Mamma Mia - this show has it all and more!Sit back and enjoy this spectacular evening of entertainment, with a tribute to the movies and musicals that you all love.

€28

Joe The Magician Live

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

It’s Joe the Magician from RTÉjr! And he’s bringing his spectacular children’s comedy magic and illusion show back to The Watergate for an afternoon of mind boggling fun!

Joe’s show fuses laugh out loud comedy magic with absolutely jaw dropping spectacular illusions live on stage. It’s a rollercoaster theatrical ride that reinvents children’s entertainment.

A Flying table, magical friendly ghosts and live snowstorm, … are just a hint of what you can expect!

Although it’s a kids magic show the grown ups love it just as much!

Joe’s hugely popular TV show ‘Dizzy Deliveries’ is the most watched show on RTÉjr AND the most streamed show on the RTÉ Player! Joe plays a magical delivery man who uses Làmh sign. Now in its second season.

€17

Sestina Music

The Concert Hall, Thomastown

Join Sestina Music for a captivating evening celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Concert Spirituel. This renowned French baroque concert series returns to life in a stunning performance featuring an 11-piece period instrument ensemble, talented vocal soloists and emerging young artists from the Next Generation Mentoring Programme. Step back in time with Sestina Music and discover the instrumental works of Archangelo Corelli and the sacred music of Michel Richard Delalande, under the direction of the acclaimed countertenor, Mark Chambers.

€5 – €20

Home Bird

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Sometimes life leads us deep into the unknown and we don’t know where we are going to land. Home Bird is a mythical story of loss, courage and home coming. Joyfully told with live music, song and dance. Come and join the adventure!
Suitable for everyone ten and over. Created by Monkeyshine/Trickster
Performed by an international cast of Dancers, Storytellers and Musicians.
Funded by The Arts Council
In partnership with the Watergate Theatre

€10

Hard Truths – Movie

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Present-day London. Middle-aged sisters Pansy and Chantal could not be more different. Chantal is cheerful and empathetic. Pansy, on the other hand, is argumentative, hypersensitive and full of anger, with her husband Curtley and grown-up son Moses bearing the brunt of her emotional outbursts. As Mother’s Day approaches, things are at breaking point, unless Chantal can somehow help her sister…

Acclaimed director Mike Leigh returns to contemporary London for this character-driven family drama. An exceptional cast, led by Jean-Baptiste (Oscar-nominated in Leigh’s Secrets & Lies), breathe life into the family’s characters, providing a dynamic that is complex, layered and nuanced. At turns tough, darkly funny and hugely compassionate, Hard Truths never feels contrived or melodramatic. Easily one of Leigh’s best.

Festivals:
Toronto International Film Festival 2024
San Sebastián International Film Festival 2024
BFI London Film Festival 2024
Belfast Film Festival 2024
Cork International Film Festival 2024

Director: Mike Leigh
Cast: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Michele Austin, David Webber, Tuwaine Barrett
97 minutes | 2024 | Cert: 12A

€7

Kilkenny Roots Festival 2025

Since 1998, Kilkenny Roots Festival has attracted some of the finest names in the Americana/Roots canon, including Calexico, Giant Sand, Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell, Alejandro Escovedo, Guy Clark, Chuck Prophet, Ray LaMontagne, Richmond Fontaine, Rodney Crowell, Phosphorescent, Sturgill Simpson and Alabama Shakes.

Audiences wind their way through the medieval streets sampling the huge range of music in the 30 plus venues, hosting over 40 Irish and international acts, with over 90 ticketed and free shows from early afternoon until late into the night.

There’s a mixture of old and new acts on the free pub gig trail and all styles are catered for, from swing to bluegrass, rockabilly to cajun, folk, blues and beyond.

Kilkenny Roots Festivals – Jerron Paxton

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Jerron Paxton at Watergate, Kilkenny for Kilkenny Roots Festival 2025

Growing up in Los Angeles, Jerron Paxton would sit with an ear by the radio, eagerly absorbing the nuances and history of Black American traditional music that connect him to his ancestral roots in the South. A songwriter, inheritor of tradition, and a walking, talking jukebox, Paxton approaches his craft with equal part wit and reverence, with a knack for leg-pulling and cracking wise. Things Done Changed is an album of original songs that sound beamed in from nearly a century ago, when jazz and blues were performed as a means of both personal and cultural survival. Lick by lick, Paxton builds a bridge between generations gone and generations to come, singing the heartaches and joys of the past and present.

€30

Kilkenny Roots Festival – Jim Lauderdale

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Kilkenny Roots Festival proudly presents Jim Lauderdale's only Irish date of 2025.

Jim Lauderdale is the Grammy Award Winning Singer, Songwriter and Performer known as one of Americana’s most steadfast champions.

€30

The Engegård String Quartet

Parade Tower Kilkenny Castle

Formed under the midnight sun in Lofoten in 2005, the Engegård Quartet has rapidly become one of Norway’s most sought after ensembles. Their bold, fresh interpretations of the classical repertoire combined with a deep attachment to their Scandinavian roots has attracted international acclaim, and inspired some innovative partnerships and programming. The quartet’s debut CD was praised as ‘breathtaking’ in The Strad, while their second release won Pizzicato magazine’s ‘Supersonic Award’. Their CD of works by Grieg, Sibelius, and Olav Anton Thommessen was praised by Tully Potter in Music Web International as ‘what Grieg lovers have been waiting for’.

€5 – €20

The Engegård String Quartet

The Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, The Parade, Gardens, Kilkenny, Ireland The Parade Tower, Kilkenny

Formed under the midnight sun in Lofoten in 2005, the Engegård Quartet has rapidly become one of Norway’s most sought after ensembles. Their bold, fresh interpretations of the classical repertoire combined with a deep attachment to their Scandinavian roots has attracted international acclaim, and inspired some innovative partnerships and programming. The quartet’s debut CD was praised as ‘breathtaking’ in The Strad, while their second release won Pizzicato magazine’s ‘Supersonic Award’. Their CD of works by Grieg, Sibelius, and Olav Anton Thommessen was praised by Tully Potter in Music Web International as ‘what Grieg lovers have been waiting for’.

€5 – €20

Declan Nerney with special guests John McNicholl and Paddy O Brien.

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Join Declan and his super live band with special guests John McNicholl and Paddy O Brien for a nostalgic night of music, song and laughter on the 2025 Round and Round concert tour. Declan has gone on to have a super career that has spanned over 4 decades at the top of Irish Country Music winning many accolades along the way and scoring countless hits with his catalogue of trademark song.

€27.50

Grease The Musical

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Kilkenny College present Grease The Musical

After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl next door Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can they survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life and find true love once more?

€17.50

Gearóid Farrelly: Gearóid Rage

The Set Theatre

Gearóid Farrelly: Gearóid Rage

Gearóid Farrelly follows his mammoth Glamour Hammer tour with a hilarious new stand up show touching on the many, many, MANY things that make his blood boil. 

“Gearóid Farrelly is Bloody Hilarious” Sarah Millican
“My Absolute Favourite” Joanne McNally
To be in Farrelly’s crowd is a joy. Each joke landed perfectly… impeccable comic timing” ★★★★★ Broadway Baby

€22

Ralph McTell

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

One of the great storytellers, Ralph McTell, is now celebrating more than 50 years on the road. Known for his virtuoso guitar style, he is primarily a prolific and gifted songwriter. With a style that invites you into a unique world, he weaves a narrative that is both significant and poignant.

€34

The Vienna Mozart Trio

The Concert Hall, Thomastown

Since its foundation in 1991, the Vienna Mozart Trio has performed in renowned concert halls of Europe and Asia such as the Sala Verdi in Milan, the Wigmore Hall in London, the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique in Brussels, the Auditorio Centro Cultural Conde Duque in Madrid, the Auditorio Winterthur in Barcelona, the Concertgebouw Rotterdam, the Concert Hall of the Royal Dublin Society, the Palais du Luxembourg in Paris, the Beijing Concert Hall, the Shanghai Concert Hall, the Viennese Konzerthaus and others.

€5 – €20

Cream of Kilkenny Cats Jazz Spectacular

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

The very best of Kilkenny's young musical talent take to the stage for an evening of Jazz under the baton of Musical Director Eamon Cahill.

€13

Vladimir Jablokov Live

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Internationally acclaimed violinist Vladimir Jablokov makes a rare appearance at the Watergate Theatre as part of his intimate Summer Tour 2025. Following performances at major venues, including headlining Dublin's 3Arena for three consecutive years, Vladimir wants to reconnect with his audiences in more intimate settings across Ireland.

Joined by the exceptional pianist Vincent Lynch, Vladimir will present an unforgettable evening of romance and passion, featuring timeless favourites such as Theme from Spartacus, If I Were a Rich Man, Libertango, Por Una Cabeza, Jalousie, Hungarian Dance No. 5, along with some beautiful Irish melodies.

€32 – €35

It’s Wine O’Clock with Norma Sheahan

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

It's Wine O' Clock with Norma Sheahan directed by Michael Scott

Her three teenagers tell her to “get a life and get a fella", as they take over her 'glow-up' from Badger to MILF.
The braver, bolder Norma has dived off the cliff and hopes to grow wings on the way down. She invites you on her journey as she gives a blow by blow account of her Tinder Sexcapades.

Norma unleashed promises to manifest a Man-Fest for everyone in the audience.
Life is a costume party, so pull on your sparkly Spanx, gather the glitzy gals, and pop your Cork!

€27

Robert Grace

The Set Theatre

Robert’s current single Memories a joint release with Ryan Mack is currently #1 on the Irish Breakers Chart and has accumulated in excess of 1m Spotify streams in a matter of weeks. The song was also Track of the Week on 2fm and featured on 22 New Music Friday Global playlists.

‘Memories‘ is a sentimental song about loved ones who are no longer with us. Both of us lost our Grandmothers before we had any major success so we wrote this song as a message to them. Wondering that if they could see us now, would they be proud of all we have accomplished? The song harps on the idea that we wish to speak to them for just one more day, but ultimately know that can never be. But that they’ll live forever in our memories’

Having kicked off his career at the height of the pandemic and signing to Sony Music Worldwide, Kilkenny native Robert can already look back on an impressive track record. With more than 3.4m million followers on TikTok, the singer-songwriter was previously the most viewed Irish music artist on TikTok surpassing artists like Niall Horan and Dermot Kennedy and showcasing his growing influence in the music scene.

Robert has achieved over 175m audio streams and has accumulated over half a billion views / streams across TikTok / YouTube and the DSP’s (140m Spotify Streams)

Mark Anthony McGrath

Parade Tower Kilkenny Castle

In this recital Mark Anthony McGrath performs music by the legendary Irish harper/composer Turlough O’Carolan and the greatest German baroque lutenist/composer Silvius Leopold Weiss. Mark has released 5 solo albums to date to critical acclaim and has performed extensively throughout Europe. He has had numerous commissions for his compositions and arrangements including a commission for a 10 minute solo guitar piece by RTE Lyric FM. Mark will release ‘Carolan’, his arrangements of the harper’s compositions in 2025 and a further Weiss album The Weiss Machine Vol. 2 later in the year. Research for this project was aided by a Bursary award from the Arts Council of Ireland and support from the Music Network Capital instrument purchase scheme.

€5 – €20

Thin Az Lizzy & Deuce

The Set Theatre

All shows are over 18’s unless specified

(once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded, unless the event is cancelled)

Thin Az Lizzy
The definitive and critically acclaimed Thin Lizzy Tribute show hits Set Theatre Kilkenny this coming May 2025 for an explosive night of classic rock anthems!

Endorsed by Philomena Lynott and fronted by Johnny D Fox, this is one for all the true Lizzy Fans out there!

Deuce is a tribute band dedicated to celebrating the music and legacy of Rory Gallagher, one of the most influential blues and rock guitarists of the 20th century. The band, named after Gallagher’s 1971 album Deuce, aims to authentically recreate the sound, energy, and spirit of his live performances.

€22

Rebecca O’Connor as Tina Turner : Simply The Best

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

In the words of the late Tina Turner herself: “Rebecca is so good, she’s scary.” Prepare for an unforgettable night as Rebecca O’Connor channels the electrifying energy, voice, and spirit of the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll.

Hailing from County Cork, Ireland, Rebecca’s journey to the stage was inspired by Tina’s music and presence from a young age. At 17, Rebecca’s incredible talent led her to win Stars In Their Eyes, wowing over 33 million viewers and securing her place as one of the world’s finest Tina Turner tribute artists. Personally endorsed by Tina, Rebecca carries forward her legacy with passion, energy, and undeniable authenticity.

Backed by a world-class band and her dazzling dancers, the "Rebeccettes," Rebecca delivers show-stopping renditions of Tina’s greatest hits. From “Proud Mary” and “River Deep” to “Private Dancer” and “Simply The Best,” this high-octane performance will have you on your feet, singing along to the songs that defined a generation.

Don’t miss the chance to witness Rebecca O’Connor bring Tina’s legendary magic to life with wild hair, sparkling dresses, and powerhouse vocals. This isn’t just a tribute — it’s a celebration of an icon.

€28 – €34

Tadhg J Devery

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Actor and Comedian Tadhg J Devery is taking to the stage with his live sketch show ' A Day in the Country'.

Tickets go on sale 10am Friday 24th January 2025!

Tadhg has become an online sensation with his Country Ireland-related comedy sketches. For the past couple of years, he has consistently written, shot, and edited a new sketch every week, showcasing his versatility by playing multiple characters. Now, he's taking his talents to the live stage!

Experience the charm and humour of six beloved characters:
Noel: Your typical everyday country father

Breda: The dramatic and slightly raunchy housewife

Christy: The well-meaning but unlucky builder

Fr. Nettles: The tea-loving priest

Seamus: The worst plumber of a generation

The Garda: A policeman who couldn't solve a 10-piece jigsaw

Authentic Country Humour
Growing up in the country with a background in acting, farming, and building, Tadhg brings authenticity and relatability to his characters. His unique perspective ensures a genuinely funny and believable performance.

€29.50

Ni Liomsa an Teach Alainn Seo

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

A story of myth, legend and identity, Ní Liomsa an Teach Álainn Seo (This is Not My Beautiful House) is a one-person play in the Irish language.

With English subtitles, the show revolves around an unnamed artist as they wait in their studio for their partner to come home so that they can reveal their secret, and finally come out as non-binary. As they wait, they begin to delve into their recent obsession with an old Irish legend of the Táin Bó Cuailgne. When the bull comes alive, a battle of monologues begins, as they fiercely debate whether it is better to live as your true self and potentially be alone for it, or to exist only in other people’s expectations and remain a legend.

€15 – €17

Cloudbusting- The Music of Kate Bush

The Set Theatre

Significantly, they are the only band in the world to have performed Kate’s music with her original bass player and long standing sound engineer Del Palmer, as well as drummer and percussionist Preston Heyman who appeared on the Tour Of Life, Never For Ever & The Dreaming. The band has also performed with Stewart Avon-Arnold - Kate’s co-choreographer and dance partner who appeared with her in so many of those iconic videos and performances throughout her career. That’s quite an endorsement for Cloudbusting but it also stands as a reflection of the talent, tenacity and passion that the 5-piece band has for Kate’s captivating music. 

€30

Kilkenny Country Music Festival

Gowran Park Mill Rd, Gowran Demesne,, Kilkenny, Ireland

This truly unique festival is set in the idyllic grounds of Gowran Park. Join us for a day of fun, music and dance with some of the best Country Singers in Ireland. Festival 2025 will feature headline act Mike Denver with The Conquerors as backing band for the day. Also featuring will be Michael English, Robert Mizzell, Lousie Morrissey, Olivia Douglas, Gerri Gutheri, Stacey Breen and Peter & Paul.

Located just 10 minutes from the M7 there’s something for everyone with state of the art facilities including onsite bars and restaurants, dancing on a giant dance floor, easy parking, activities for the kids, and entertained with great Country Music Children Under 12 Free when accompanied by adult. This is the place to be on July 6th 2025!!

€30

Summer Camps at Castlecomer Discovery Park

Castlecomer Discovery Park The Estate Yard, Drumgoole, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny

We can't wait for Summer Camp 2025 and to welcome some new and familiar faces. Last year we had so much fun mountain biking, growing our confidence on the high ropes courses and getting creative during crafts, we can't wait to do it all again this year 😆

€95 – €140

Roll With It: The Ultimate Oasis Experience

The Set Theatre

All shows are over 18’s unless specified

(once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded, unless the event is cancelled)

Roll With It (The Ultimate Oasis Experience) formed in 2013 to bring the music of the Gallaghers to the live stage in Ireland and beyond. Having been on continual tour since then, the band have performed hundreds of shows to thousands of fans, with countless sell-out gigs in many of the country’s top venues.

Their setlist spans all seven albums and includes the hit singles right through to the acoustic B-sides.

The band is made up of experienced musicians with a passion for the greatest band of the nineties, who aim to give audiences the best singalong since Knebworth.

Please note: this is a standing show with limited seating available upstairs.

€22

Ardal O’Hanlon – Not Himself

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

Oh, it’s all there! All the trademarks are in evidence in Ardal’s latest show. Beautifully crafted stand-up comedy? Yes. Celebrated use of language? Tick. Lateral thinking, surreal flourishes, sharp observations? Of course. As for the occasional profundity? Maybe.

Despite his best attempts over many decades to put the world to rights, it is still a colossal mess. And so, Ardal has no choice but to go out on the road again. Like the good comedy doctor he is, he fearlessly diagnoses the various pathologies and neuroses that are currently ravaging humanity. Disclaimer: No solutions provided.

€30

John Lydon – I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right 2025

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

He’s a legend and an icon, a revolutionary and an immortal. John Lydon – aka Johnny Rotten – changed the face of music and sparked a cultural revolution. The frontman and lyricist of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd (PiL) caused a political earthquake and transformed music for good. In his spoken word show, I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right, Lydon is touring the UK. He will talk about how he sees life, along with his unique and extraordinary career, and take audience questions during a pyrotechnic, one-off tour. Lydon will be sharing his thoughts with audiences. He Could Be Wrong. He Could Be Right.

Ticket, Meet 'n' Greet, Autograph, Photograph and Goody Bag - €95
Ticket and Goody Bag - €55
Ticket - €35

€35 – €95

Declan O’Rourke

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

In October 2004, amongst a thriving Dublin music scene Declan O’Rourke’s debut album Since Kyabram was released. In its first week, Since Kyabram entered the charts at Number 5 and over the following two years achieved gold, platinum and twice platinum status. The Album held within it a collection of songs which have grown in popularity over the years. Galileo, Sarah, No Place To Hide, We Didn’t Mean To Go To Sea and Marrying The Sea are amongst the titles which led to award nominations and plaudits from Paul Weller, Eddi Reader, Paul Brady and Snow Patrol.

€34

Dan McCabe

The Set Theatre

This is the success story of Kildare ballad singer Dan McCabe.

Dan comes from a long lineage of folk musicians and commenced his career in music at an early age. Dan would eventually go from strength to strength in this genre of the industry and consequently it became his full time occupation.

Due to the Covid 19 lockdown and the lack of opportunity to benefit from ‘Live Music’ performances Dan turned his focus to posting self-made videos of his music on social media platforms, merely as a pastime and an escape from the hardship and gloom of the pandemic. Completely unexpectedly these recordings would be viewed over 12 million times online and as a consequence it also caught the attention of senior producers at RTE.

€40

Paddy – The Life & Times of Paddy Armstrong

Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, Kilkenny

A one-man show, starring Don Wycherley as Paddy, the play is inspired by Paddy’s memoir Life After Life, a Guildford Four Memoir (2017).

Don Wycherley brings unflinching honesty, pathos and humour to his portrayal of Paddy, a man failed and scarred by a flawed system yet refusing to be defined by it.

Paddy is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of forgiveness, reminding us that the privilege of freedom and love, family and everyday life can restore us and mend the scars of even the most savage injustice.

€18 – €25

Harvest: a tribute to Neil Young

The Set Theatre

All shows are over 18’s unless specified
(once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded, unless the event is cancelled)

Harvest (a tribute to Neil Young) are an 8-piece band who have been thrilling audiences and Neil Young fans all over Ireland for 15 years.

The band played a stunning show at the Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre in August 2024 and are delighted to be performing in Kilkenny again, at the Set Theatre in October 2025.

Patrons can expect to hear the band perform fan favourites from Young’s albums “Harvest”, “After the Gold Rush”, “Harvest Moon” and “Freedom”, to name but a few.

€30